About this project

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日本語での詳しい説明は、下をご覧下さい。

The Beginning

Year by year, saké is gaining popularity abroad, but even in Japan,
the intense production process is not very well known. We felt
privileged to be granted a window into this intimate environment
and feel compelled to share this unique story with the world.

In August of 2012, we were invited by the Yoshida family to come visit their brewery in Ishikawa prefecture, northern Japan. We were immediately intrigued by the complex process required to produce saké, a seemingly simple clear liquid.

While spending time there, we found the story of the workers living together under the same roof for 6 straight months incredibly
compelling. The team at Tedorigawa is mostly made up of migrant farmers who grow rice in the summer and then brew sake in the winter. It was amazing to also witness the vast range of age (from 20 to 70) between the workers working side by side.

After our initial visit, the Tedorigawa brewery agreed to take part in the filming and was willing to let us film the incredibly labor intensive process of brewing Daiginjo (the highest grade of saké). My producer and I stayed onsite with the workers and woke up every morning at 4:00am. We witnessed first hand how deeply intensive and exhausting handcrafting saké is. As we got deeper and deeper into filming we were able to establish a trust between the workers that allowed us to capture their more personal side. It was fascinating for us to witness the stark contrast of their personalities between work and leisure time. As we tasted their amazing award winning sake, we felt the warm dedication and spirit of the workers who wake up every morning seven days a week, work all day together, eat all three meals together and then drink together each night.

Yoshida-san greatly looks up to Toji-san and takes great pride in his postion as heir to the brewery. Their profound relationship is what drives the narrative of the film.

What I found most interesting was watching Yamamoto Toji (head brewmaster) controlling and working with all the ever-changing variables during production to create the best possible saké. With the rice crop changing from season to season, Toji-san used his 52 years of experience and intuition as a the guiding factor to crafting saké. As I watched him I thought to myself; how many people in the world could do this? How many people in the world can squeeze cooked rice in their hands and say, this is ready to be made into sake..

Aside from his tremendous knowledge, he is an essential father figure for the team and possesses a remarkable level of charisma to bring workers from such different generations together in a high-pressure environment.

Being Japanese-American, I felt personally compelled to this story. This film allowed me to feel a deeper connection with my own culture that I took for granted for so many years. I also feel that there is strong resemblance between handcrafting saké and filmmaking. Both thrive on a sense of trust and harmony between the entire team. Like filmmaking, saké making neesds a strong, responsible leader that will inspire the team and share a sense of collaboration

Filming in the Koji room/麹部屋での撮影風景

I want to share this story with the world so people can have a better understanding and appreciation for saké as well as gaining a unique insight into a deeply rooted Japanese culture.

To complete the film, we need to film additional scenes in Japan. We would like to film Toji-san with Yoshida-san in Toji-san's hometown of Noto Japan, where he farms rice during the off season. A few of the co-workers from the brewery also live nearby and it would be interesting to film their relationship outside of the brewery. We would also want to get Toji-san's wife's perspective: How does she feel about having her husband away for six months every year?

We also need to film the critical scene of the workers coming back to the brewery at the beginning of the sake season in late October to complete the full circle of the saké brewing season.

Risks and challenges

There were many challenges, including getting access to film at the brewery. We had to have several meetings with owner of the brewery and get permission from the head brewmaster. The brewery had a slight reservation that the filming would get in the way of producing saké but in the end, we believe the brewery agreed to let us film as a way to share this lifestyle with the outside world in hopes of connecting people to the traditions of Japanese culture.

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We graciously thank you for your generous support. NO amount is too small and every dollar is appreciated. We will add you to our mailing list and keep you updated on the project’s progress. Write to us if you’d like to discuss other ways you can help.

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Pledge $25 or more
About $25

A personal written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard photo from.
Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake.
An onscreen thank you credit.

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Pledge $50 or more
About $50

A digital download of the completed film.
Plus, a personally written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard photo. Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake. An onscreen thank you credit.

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Pledge $75 or more
About $75

A traditional printed-cotton Tenugui (hand towel) from Tedorigawa brewery. These hands towels are made by the brewery and have the beautiful brewery logo on them. These hand towels are small and portable and can be taken wherever you go.
Plus, digital download of the film. A personally written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard photo. Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake. An onscreen thank you credit.

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Pledge $100 or more
About $100

A traditional ceramic sake cup from Tedorigawa brewery. Each glass cup has the Tedorigawa logo finely printed on it and is the perfect glass to sip sake from. You can pour both warm and cold sake into these cups. These are the same types of cups that the brewmaster and workers use to taste their sake during production.
Plus, digital download of the film. A personally written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard photo. Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake. An onscreen thank you credit.

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Pledge $150 or more
About $150

2 VIP tickets to the advance screening party in NY once the film is complete.
Limited Edition Tedorigawa T-Shirt.
Printed movie poster.
Signed commercial DVD of completed film.
A personal written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard photo.
Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake.
An onscreen thank you credit.

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Pledge $200 or more
About $200

Tedorigawa’s original wooden sake masu (square cup).
13”x13” Professional quality print of a still from Tedorigawa Sake Brewery. Limited Edition by Erik Shirai.
Printed movie poster.
A signed commercial DVD of the completed film.
A personal written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard print of a photo from the film shoot.
Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake.
An onscreen thank you credit.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

Tedorigawa’s original sake glass.
Printed movie poster.
Signed commercial DVD of completed film.
A personal written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard photo.
Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake.
An onscreen thank you credit.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

Tedorigawa Apron.
Private screening in New York with the Director and Producer, plus a special gift from Tedorigawa given at screening.
1-25”x25” Professional quality limited edition photo print from Tedorigawa Sake Brewery.
Printed movie poster.
Signed commercial DVD of completed film.
A personal written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard print.
Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake.
An onscreen thank you credit.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

One-of-a-kind Sugi Ball from the brewery. (picture)
Private screening with the Director and Producer with a special gift from Tedorigawa Brewery given at screening.
Omakase dinner at a New York Japanese restaurant with Tedorigawa sake pairings.
1-25”x25” Professional quality limited edition photo print from Tedorigawa Sake Brewery.
Printed movie poster.
Signed commercial DVD of completed film.
A personal written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard print of a photo from the film shoot.
Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

Dinner at a Top New York Japanese restaurant with the Director and Producer, plus private screening.
On Screen Credit Associate Producer Credit at the end of the film.
1-25”x25” Professional quality limited edition photo print from Tedorigawa Sake Brewery.
Printed movie poster.
Signed commercial DVD of completed film.
A personal written thank you note from the filmmakers on a postcard print.
Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

Private tour at Tedorigawa Brewery with head brewmaster and Yasyuki Yoshida.
On Screen Executive Producer Credit.
1-25”x25” Professional quality limited edition photo print from Tedorigawa Sake Brewery
Printed movie poster.
Signed commercial DVD of completed film.
A personal written thank you note from the filmmakers, on a postcard print of a photo from the film shoot.
Downloadable Collection of 3 chef’s recipes for dishes that pair perfectly with Tedorigawa sake.